OVERSEAS Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Chief Carmelita Dimzon yesterday assured that necessary assistance will be provided in releasing the bodies of the four overseas Filipino workers who were victims of the hostage-taking incident in Algeria.

Dimzon said the remains of the four OFWs were expected to arrive last night (Jan. 29).

No flight details were issued in order to accede to the request of the  families of the victims who said they wanted a private moment with their departed  loved ones at the airport.  

Dimzon said full assistance will be extended to the OFWs’ families.

Eight OFWs were reported to have  lost their lives at the height of the  hostage-taking.  As of this writing, OWWA  is still awaiting the final advice on the return of the four other victims to the Philippines.

According to Dimzon, most of those killed  were professionals, technical and highly-skilled workers.

Families of  OFWs who were bonafide members of the agency at the time of their death  are entitled to death and burial benefits of Php220,000.

The families are also eligible to avail of the OWWA’s education and livelihood assistance program (ELAP), scholarship grant for a qualified dependent, and a livelihood assistance in the amount of Php15,000 to the surviving spouse.